Kiwi plant named tsechelidis

ABSTRACT

A new and distinctive variety of the kiwi plant,  Actinidia deliciosa,  named ‘Tsechelidis’ is described. The new variety is characterized by very large oblong fruit covered with downy hairs, and very broad ovate leaves having acuminate apexes, among other features. The size and uniformity of the fruit provide significantly higher yield than other known varieties of kiwi.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Actinidia deliciosa

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Tsechelidis’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Kiwi plants have been cultivated outside their native China for over one hundred years. Known varieties or cultivars include Hayward, Meteor, Hort16A, Abbott, Tomua, Jade Moon, Bruno, Monty, Matua and Kuimi. Hayward is the most popular variety worldwide. Kiwi plants are now commercially grown in New Zealand, Italy, Chile, France, Greece, Japan, China and the United States.

Kiwi plants are commercially grown for their oblong or oval fruit, having brown skin covered in short hairs. The flesh, firm until fully ripe, is glistening, bright green or sometimes yellow, brownish or off-white, except for the white, succulent center from which radiate many fine, pale lines. Between these lines are scattered minute dark-purple or nearly black seeds, unnoticeable in eating.

Kiwi plants may be propagated by seed, grafting or cutting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinctive kiwi variety characterized by very large, oblong fruit covered with downy hairs, and very broad ovate leaves having acuminate apexes, among other features. The size and uniformity of the fruit provide significantly higher yield than other known varieties of kiwi. The new variety designated ‘Tsechelidis’ was derived from the ‘Hayward’ variety in Episkopi, Imathia, Greece and has been asexually reproduced by cutting, among other methods.

‘Tsechelidis’ is further distinguished by the nutritional characteristics of the fruit as well as the qualitative characteristics. Furthermore, a molecular genetic analysis distinguishes ‘Tsechelidis’ from ‘Hayward’ as indicated by several polymorphisms in known alleles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs of ‘Tsechelidis’ show the new variety as well as comparisons of the ‘Tsechelidis’ variety to the ‘Hayward’ variety.

FIG. 1 shows a typical leaf of ‘Tsechelidis’.

FIG. 2 shows typical flowers of ‘Tsechelidis’.

FIG. 3 shows a typical flower of ‘Tsechelidis’ as compared to a typical flower of ‘Hayward’.

FIG. 4 shows typical fruit of ‘Tsechelidis’ on the vine.

FIG. 5 shows typical fruit of ‘Tsechelidis’ on the vine as compared to typical fruit of ‘Hayward’ on the vine.

FIG. 6 shows typical fruit of ‘Tsechelidis’ with stems attached.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-section and a stylar end view of a typical fruit of ‘Tsechelidis’

FIG. 8 shows a cross-section and a side view of a typical fruit of ‘Tsechelidis’.

FIG. 9 shows typical fruit of ‘Tsechelidis’ as compared to typical fruit of ‘Hayward’.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a new and distinct variety of Actinidia deliciosa plants having the several characteristics that distinguish the variety from other kiwi plants, particularly the ‘Hayward’ variety.

The new variety ‘Tsechelidis’ was discovered in Episkopi, Imathia, Greece, when the inventor planted seeds from selected Hayward plants with the purpose of obtaining a group of male plants. From this original group of twenty plants, a single plant was identified as female. During its first harvest in 1994, the female plant bore unusually large fruit as compared to plants of the ‘Hayward’ variety. The female plant was monitored for the next two harvests and consistently bore the unusually large fruit, as well as other features which distinguished it from ‘Hayward’. The female plant was then used to propagate the ‘Tsechelidis’ variety by asexual reproduction beginning in 1996.

The ‘Tsechelidis’ variety has been continuously asexually reproduced by cuttings from 1996 through 2007. The distinguishing characteristics of the variety continue to run true in the propagated plants, as shown by about 1000 plants covering ½ hectare.

Furthermore, no changes have appeared in the new variety when grafted on ‘Hayward’. In addition to cuttings, the new variety can be asexually reproduced by grafting to rootstocks of A. deliciosa.

Male pollenizers suitable for ‘Tsechelidis’ may include, but are not limited to, ‘Matua’. At this time the ‘Tsechelidis’ variety is being tested for self-pollenization by the University of Volvos, Greece. According to preliminary results, ‘Tsechelidis’ is characterized by up to 75% self-pollenization as compared to 2% for ‘Hayward’.

‘Tsechelidis’ should be cultivated in areas that are not affected by spring frost. Temperatures of less than −2° C. will damage the tender shoots of the plant and suspending growth or reduce the setting process. Also, frost in early autumn to late October may damage fruit situated on the vine. The presence of strong wind, particularly in May, may result in considerable decrease of flowers borne by the plant.

Distinguishing Characteristics from Known Varieties

The following is a comparison of the fruit production an orchard of ‘Tsechelidis’ as compared with cultivated ‘Hayward’ situated in the area of Episkopi-Anthemion in the prefecture of Imathia, Greece. At the time of this study (2006) the ‘Tsechelidis’ orchard was five years old.

The listed observations, measurements and assessments were made in the following categories:

1. Plant and fruit characteristics

2. Quantitative production data (yield, number of fruits/plants and average fruit weight).

3. Level of nutritional elements in leaves and fruit.

4. Qualitative fruit characteristics (resistance to pressure, pH, soluble solids (°Brix), vitamin C, acids, sugars, Thiault index and dry matter).

1. Plant and Fruit Characteristics:

The chart below describes the physical differences between ‘Tsechelidis’ and the known ‘Hayward’ variety. The Horticultural terminology applied below is used in accordance with revised UPOV guidelines for kiwi (Test Guidelines—TG/98/6—Actinidia 2001-04-04, available at http://www.upov.int/en/publications/tg-rom/tg098/tg_(—)98_(—)6.pdf).

UPOV Characteristics for comparison of varieties ‘HAYWARD’ ‘TSECHELIDIS’ Plant: vigor Medium Strong Leaf blade: shape Broad ovate Very broad ovate Leaf blade: shape of apex Acute Acuminate Leaf blade: green color Medium Dark of upper side Petal: curvature of apex Strongly Very strongly expressed expressed Fruit: size Large Very large Fruit: general shape Ellipsoid Oblong Fruit: general shape Flat Between slightly depressed of stylar end and flat Fruit: shape of shoulder Rounded Squared at stalk end Fruit: type of hairiness Hirsute Downy Time of beginning Late Medium of flowering

The shoots of ‘Tsechelidis’ grow more vigorously than ‘Hayward’, though there is no difference with respect to resilience against pest and diseases. The fruits of ‘Tsechelidis’ are more oblong than ‘Hayward’ (the ratio of fruit length/width is 1.41 and 1.24 respectively). Furthermore, the fruits of ‘Tsechelidis’ are larger and more uniform in size. ‘Tsechelidis’ do no require thinning absent defective fruit, unlike ‘Hayward’. Additionally, due to the larger fruit size, any decrease that may be caused by low temperatures during the flowering season or poor pollination of the fruits will not affect the marketability of the fruits, in contrast with ‘Hayward’.

2. Quantitative Production Data:

Significance Parameter ‘TSECHELIDIS’ ‘HAYWARD’ level (P) Total number of 250 279 P > 0.05 fruits/plant Number of 249 222 P > 0.05 marketable fruits Rate of 99.6 79.6 — marketable fruits (%) Total yield (kg/ 41.9 29.9 P > 0.05 plant) Yield of 41.6 25.1 0.001 < P < 0.01 marketable fruits (kg/plant) Yield of 99.3 83.9 — marketable fruits (%) Average weight 167.0 114.5 P < 0.001 of marketable fruits (g) Average weight 237.0 88.8 P < 0.001 of non-marketable fruits (g) P > 0.05 signifies a statistically insignificant difference. ‘Tsechelidis’ has a greater density of buds in each stem than ‘Hayward’, whereby each stem, which has 13 buds, produces about 10 kg of fruit. Therefore, each ‘Tsechelidis’ tree, having about 15-18 stems, yields about 140-150 kg of fruit. The high yield, and large size and uniformity of the fruit of ‘Tsechelidis’, as compared to the ‘Hayward’, are significant advantages, particularly with regard to reducing production costs. This data was taken during a harvest affected by adverse weather during the growing season in Imathia, Greece.

3. Level of Nutritional Elements

The following is table that shows the statistically significant differences in nutritional elements between ‘Tsechelidis’ and ‘Hayward’.

Parameter ‘TSECHELIDIS’ ‘HAYWARD’ Leaves: nitrogen level 1.95% 2.53% Fruit skin: phosphorus 0.13% 0.08% Fruit skin: potassium 2.35% 1.95% Fruit skin: magnesium 0.08% 0.06% Fruit skin: manganese 12.6 ppm  8.0 ppm Fruit flesh: nitrogen 0.76% 0.95% Fruit flesh: phosphorus 0.13% 0.16% Fruit flesh: manganese 10.3 ppm  6.2 ppm Fruit flesh: copper 6.79 ppm 10.51 ppm Fruit flesh: proportion 2.30 2.71 of N/Ca

4. Qualitative Fruit Characteristics

The following tables show specific qualitative fruit characteristics between ‘Tsechelidis’ and ‘Hayward’. The first table lists measurements of fruit immediately after harvest. The second table lists measurements taken of fruit held in refrigerated storage for two months after harvest.

Measurements Taken During Harvest Significance Parameter ‘TSECHELIDIS’ ‘HAYWARD’ level (P) Resistance to 23.0 27.0 0.001 < P < 0.01 pressure (lb/in²) Flesh pH 3.34 3.25  0.01 < P < 0.05 Soluble solids 7.30 6.70 P > 0.05 (°Brix) (%) Vitamin C 79.2 37.8 P < 0.001 (mg/100 g fresh weight) Malic acid (g/l) 4.5 4.0 P > 0.05 Sugars (g/l) 62.8 57.2 0.01 < P < 0.05 Thiault index 107.7 97.6 0.01 < P < 0.05 Dry matter (%) 15.30 15.82 P > 0.05

Measurements Taken Two (2) Months After Harvest Significance Parameter ‘TSECHELIDIS’ ‘HAYWARD’ level (P) Resistance to 10. 10.9 P > 0.05 pressure (lb/in²) Flesh pH 3.32 3.41 P < 0.001 Soluble solids 13.6 13.0 P > 0.05 (°Brix) (%) Vitamin C (mg/100 80.2 38.3 P < 0.001 g fresh weight) Malic acid (g/l) 4.8 4.5 P > 0.05 Sugars (g/l) 84.4 80.0 P > 0.05 Thiault index 132.4 125.0 P > 0.05 Based on the above information, the following distinctions may be drawn between ‘Tsechelidis’ and ‘Hayward’. The fruit of ‘Tsechelidis’ ripen 7-10 days earlier than ‘Hayward’, which is shown by the fruit's lower resistance to pressure and their slight superiority in soluble solids (°Brix) during harvest. Despite the earlier ripening, the resistance to pressure of ‘Tsechelidis’ after two months of refrigerated storage was the same as ‘Hayward’.

Molecular Genetic Analysis

A molecular genetic analysis was conducted by Dr. Athanasios Mavromatis, Professor of Genetics & Plant Breeding (University of Thessaly, School of Agricultural Services) comparing ‘Tsechelidis’ with ‘Hayward’ based on known microsatellite DNA markers using PCR. The method is recognized as an accurate and repeatable molecular analysis for Actinidia. Huang, W. G., Cipriani, G., Morgante, M., Testolin, R. (1998) Microsatellite DNA in Actinidia chinensis: isolation, characterization, and homology in related species. Theor. Appl. Genet. 97 (8): 1269-1278.

The DNA analysis was performed as follows:

Repeatable samples of four genotypes were used (commercial clones of ‘Hayward’ (one female, one male) and ‘Tsechelidis’ (one female, one male)). Leaf samples of 0.3 g per genotype was used for DNA extraction process according to a modified cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) method. The extract DNA was quantified on agarose gel by comparison with report samples (DNA marker). The DNA quality and quantity was tested to ensure accuracy of the molecular genetic analysis.

Thirteen known primer pairs were used for amplifying dinucleotide tandems AG/CT and AC/GT. The primer pairs used were: UDK 96-022, UDK 97-402, UDK 99-152, UDK 96-053, UDK 97-411, UDK 96-030, UDK 96-001, UDK 96-037, UDK 96-034, UDK 99-168, UDK 96-092, UDK 97-406 and UDK 97-407. The primers were developed in a bilateral European Union International Cooperation with Developing Countries (INCO-DC) project performed by University of Udine, Italy; Chinese Agricultural University, Beijing China; INRA, France; and University of Thessaly, Greece.

The PCR products were separated in 6% polyacrylamide gels 1.5 mm thick. Band visualization was made with silver nitrate. The results of the study indicated that at least seven out of 13 primer pairs were polymorphic. Therefore, the study provides grounds for distinguishing between genetic material from ‘Tsechelidis’ as compared to ‘Hayward’.

The polymorphic primer pairs are described in the table below according to the presence and absence of alleles of the same molecular weight.

DNA primer/alleles ‘TSECHELIDIS’ ‘HAYWARD’ 99-152 97-411 + − 96-030 96-037α − + 96-037β + − 96-034 + − 96-092 + − 97-406 − +

The genetic difference confirmed through diverse binding patterns indicate that the ‘Tsechelidis’ variety is genetically distinct from ‘Hayward’. 

1. A new and distinct variety of Actinidia deliciosa plant named ‘Tsechelidis’ substantially as shown and described. 